The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether there was an increase in severity during the second period of service.,The Veteran's DM is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it began during his active duty service or if weight gain from his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease caused its development.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether there was an increase in severity during the second period of service.,Symptomatic paroxysmal atrial flutter is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is related to his hypertension or any other service-connected disability.,Service connection for glaucoma is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is related to his DM or any other service-connected disability.,Service connection for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to DM is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is proximately due to DM or any other service-connected disability.,Right knee strain is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is related to his in-service injuries.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's radiculopathy is found to be secondary to his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, with no clear evidence of aggravation.,There was a lack of recent VA examination for hypertension and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether there was an increase in severity during the second period of service.,The Veteran's DM is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it began during his active duty service or if weight gain from his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease caused its development.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether there was an increase in severity during the second period of service.,Symptomatic paroxysmal atrial flutter is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is related to his hypertension or any other service-connected disability.,Service connection for glaucoma is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is related to his DM or any other service-connected disability.,Service connection for left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy as secondary to DM is remanded due to lack of a recent VA examination and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is proximately due to DM or any other service-connected disability.,Right knee strain is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is related to his in-service injuries.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II (DM), acquired psychiatric disorder, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial flutter, glaucoma, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right knee strain
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20069087
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.